Monday, June 2, 2014

FINISH THAT THOUGHT #48

WELCOME BACK! And Happy June!!! WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE!?!?!?!? I can't believe we're almost halfway done with this year... I need to be more efficient; my to-do list isn't shrinking. I will be going to my first ever writers conference this month, so I'm excited about that. I also have plans to write my very first "short story" (8,000 word limit, rather than the flash I typically write...or the novels) for a contest. I don't know what I'm writing yet, though, so it may not happen. :) Also, I took a break from editing. I've been binge reading tons of stuff and I wrote another scene on my second book (not related to the first). So, I've been busy. Anyway, enough about me, you're here to write! So get to it!

If you need to read the full version of the rules, go here. Otherwise, here's the short version:Rules:1. Up to 500 words2. Keep it clean (nothing rated R or above)3. Start with the given first sentence.4. Optional Special Challenge5. Include: Twitter/email, word count, Special Challenge accepted6. The challenge is open for 24 hours on Tuesday ESTOh, and feel free to change pronouns, punctuation, tense, and anything in brackets to fit the story/pov/tone. I'm not going to be TOO picky... Our judge however...

7 comments:

"I will be a real gnome," she said, hoping no one remembered her vehement protestations to the contrary for, well, her whole life. Bimkink Thistlebang muttered sotto voce, not that regular speech could be heard over the creaking and groaning gears filling the body of The Swiftwing. Her stomach roiled queasily as they hit another pocket of turbulence. "Gnomes belong in the ground, not the air!" She griped, clenching her teeth against the urge to vomit.

The ornithopter limped through the sky, bird wings beating a jagged rhythm. "More coal!" Captain Nitfinkle Twistguage shouted. "We've got to keep the pressure up!" The steam engine wheezed asthmatically. Pistons groaned in protest as the cycled endlessly around the crank shaft. Streaks of soot and grease covered the face and clothing of her best friend. Pithkyfonk Trinkspring smiled widely, flashing white teeth through the grime. "Isn't this wonderful?" She screamed happily.

"Super!" Bimkink yelled sarcastically.

"You're starting to impress the Lieutenant."

"Really?"

"I can tell by the way he looks at you." Pithyfonk assured her.

Dibvizz Fastmaster was the reason for her current predicament. The things a female would do to get the attention of a male she was interested in romantically, she thought in disgust. Stupid hormones. He was tall for a gnome, with black hair, penetrating dark eyes and roughly chiseled features. Her heartbeat quickened just thinking of him.

The sudden screech of metal giving away accompanied by the whistle of escaping steam interrupted their conversation. "Get that leak plugged or we're all dead!" Captain Twistgauge ordered.

The hot moistness seeped through Bimkink's protective clothing, scalding her. Thick fog filled the compartment, blurring her vision. The hissing pipe dangled from the ceiling just to the left of her location. She stumbled forward and grabbed it. Ouch! It was too hot to handle even through the thick gloves she wore. Frantically she peered at her surroundings, searching for something, anything useful. She caught a glimpse of the coal shovel and a large barrel of oil. An idea blossomed in her mind. She tumbled the barrel onto its side and rolled it into position. She ripped of her gloves, using them to wedge it into place. If she could just lift the pipe back into position. She grabbed the shovel's handle, laying it over the barrel and slid the scoop beneath the pipe. Muscles straining she heaved desperately upwards, with a screech the pipe clanged back where it belonged. "I need some help here!"

"I've got it!" Dibvizz loomed out of the murk. Pressing his front to her back, he stretched out his long arms. Bimkink's spine tingled at the embrace. Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! He drove the bolts through their holes. Grunting, he screwed the nuts tight. "Good job Crewwoman Thistlebang! Would you care to join me for a meal after we land?" He asked in his gravely voice.

"I'd be delighted Mr. Fastmaster." Bimkink responded coyly. Sometimes all you need is a little leverage she thought complacently.

"I will be a real dragon," he said, hoping no one remembered his vehement protestations to the contrary for, well, forever. The three foot long, shimmering blue drake propped his snout on the window ledge of the dorm room and peered at the humans wandering below. Behind him, Jireh’s human friend gently pushed his tail off the desk before dropping textbooks down.

“You know what I mean!” Jireh humphed. He rolled onto his side and twisted his neck around until he was eye-to-eye with Tye. “I want to do what dragons are supposed to do!”

“And what’s that?”

“I...I don’t know.”

Jireh set his head on the ledge again and puffed a bit of smoke into the passing breeze.

This restlessness started on one bright morning when a ruby streak zipped past the window. Of course Jireh had poked his head out of the second storey window to catch another glimpse. The creature circled back until it hovered nearby. It was a female dragon not much bigger than himself!

“Are you a prisoner?” she asked. “No, I’m a dragon.”“What are you doing with humans?”“I live here.”

Jireh pulled his head in so she could land on the sill. The sun glinted off her wings as they folded into place behind her back. She sniffed the air, the desk, and finally Jireh himself.

“Well, you *smell* like a dragon. And this place reeks of human,” she concluded with a delicate wrinkling of her snout.

“It’s called a university. Lots of humans live here.”“What do they do?” she asked curiously.“They sit at tables and type on machines all day.”

“*All* day? What a waste of time,” she snorted. “At least it keeps them from dragon hunting.”

“Why would they be dragon hunting?” “Why, it’s what humans *do*!”“Not here. I grew up here.”

“So you’re a pet.” The way she pronounced “pet” made it sound like it was some awful, fatal disease.

“Tye’s my friend...”

“Humans aren’t friends,” she snapped. “They always have to own things! How old are you?”

He puffed up proudly, “Two years.”

“Two years? I’m three months! You’re a stunted, brainwashed, human’s pet. You’re not free!” And with that, the dazzling female stretched her wings and flew away.

Jireh snapped to the present as Tye scratched him under the chin.

“What’s been eating you, boy? Why the moping?”

Jireh closed his eyes, savouring the tingling sensation. Oh how he wanted to stay and keep things the way they were! It was impossible. Haltingly, fearfully, he ventured to convey his yearnings.

“I want to leave and find out what it means to be a dragon.” Jireh winced, waiting for an angry reply, but it didn’t come. When he peeked at Tye, he only saw a small, sad smile.

Notes: 1) I couldn't figure out how to get "will" to stay in italics when I pasted it in to the comment form, but it is intended to be in italics as the prompt has it. 2) I do not intend to condone acts of sorcery or the mixture of sorcery and Christianity. This is only a story, of course.

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About Me

I am privileged to be the wife of an amazing man; the mother of an 8 year old girl, 5 year old boy, and 5 year old girl (yes, they're twins); and a writer. I'm currently working on the third draft of my first book and the first draft of my second. I will hopefully be sharing them with others soon!
I have a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. I taught eighth grade science for two years. I've subbed at all levels. I volunteer in youth ministry at church. If I’m really lucky, I get to travel with my mother-in-law. Oh, and I read any chance I get!